Tape measure with tear resistant tape blade edge

ABSTRACT

A tape measure including a tape measure blade having an edge design to increase tape blade durability is provided. The metal portion of the tape blade may include lateral edge surface sections that have a non-planar, tear reducing shape. The metal portion of the tape blade may include lateral edge surface sections that include a tear reducing surface treatment such as a polished lateral edge surface section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of International ApplicationNo. PCT/US2019/017681, filed Feb. 12, 2019, which claims the benefit ofand priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/629,924, filed onFeb. 13, 2018, which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of tools. Thepresent invention relates specifically to a tape measure, measuringtape, retractable rule, etc., that includes a tape measure blade with anedge design that increases strength and/or resists tearing.

Tape measures are measurement tools used for a variety of measurementapplications, including in the building and construction trades. Sometape measures include a graduated, marked blade wound on a reel and alsoinclude a retraction system for automatically retracting the blade ontothe reel. In some such tape measure designs, the retraction system isdriven by a coil or spiral spring that is tensioned, storing energy asthe tape is extended, and that releases energy to spin the reel, windingthe blade back onto the reel such that automatic or non-manual taperetraction is provided. In some other tape measure designs, retractionof the tape is controlled via a manual crank, and such tape measureblades tend to have a long length.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the invention relates to a tape measure including atape blade having edges designed or configured to increase durabilityand/or decrease tearing. In a specific embodiment, the tape blade has anupper concave surface, a lower convex surface, a first lateral edgesurface extending between the left ends of the upper concave surface andthe lower convex surface, and a second lateral edge surface extendingbetween the right ends of the upper concave surface and the lower convexsurface. The first and second lateral edge surfaces are designed toimprove durability and/or reduce tearing. In one embodiment, the firstand second lateral edge surfaces are outwardly extending convex curvedsurfaces, and specifically are continuous, convex curved surfacesextending between the upper and lower surfaces. In various embodiments,the first and second lateral edge surfaces are polished or otherwisefinished to reduce the number and/or size of surface defects.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a tape measure. The tapemeasure includes a housing, a reel rotatably mounted within the housingand an elongate blade wound around the reel. The elongate blade includesan elongate metal core having an upper surface, a lower surface, a firstlateral edge surface extending between the upper and lower surfaces ofthe elongate metal core and a second lateral edge surface opposite thefirst lateral edge surface and extending between the upper and lowersurfaces of the elongate metal core. The elongate blade includes apolymer coating coupled to the elongate metal core. The upper surface ofthe elongate metal core includes a concave curved section. The lowersurface of the elongate metal core includes a convex curved section. Thefirst lateral edge surface includes a convex curved section. The secondlateral edge surface includes a convex curved section. The tape measureincludes a retraction mechanism coupled to the reel configured to driverewinding of the elongate blade on to the reel and a hook assemblycoupled to an outer end of the elongate blade.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a tape measure. The tapemeasure includes a housing, a reel rotatably mounted within the housingand an elongate tape measure blade wound around the reel. The elongatetape measure blade including an upper surface, a lower surface, a firstmetal lateral edge surface extending between the upper and lowersurfaces of the elongate tape measure blade and a second metal lateraledge surface opposite the first metal lateral edge surface and extendingbetween the upper and lower surfaces of the elongate tape measure blade.The first metal lateral edge surface includes a shaped, non-planarsurface section. The second metal lateral edge surface includes ashaped, non-planar surface section. The tape measure includes aretraction mechanism coupled to the reel configured to drive rewindingof the elongate tape measure blade on to the reel.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a tape measure. The tapemeasure includes a housing, a reel rotatably mounted within the housingand an elongate tape measure blade wound around the reel comprising anelongate metal core. The elongate metal core includes an upper surface,a lower surface, a first lateral edge surface extending between theupper and lower surfaces of the elongate metal core and a second lateraledge surface opposite the first lateral edge surface and extendingbetween the upper and lower surfaces of the elongate metal core. Thefirst lateral edge surface includes a polished section such that anaverage number of surface defects per mm² within the polished section isless than an average number of surface defects per mm² of the uppersurface of the elongate metal core. The second lateral edge surfaceincludes a polished section such that an average number of surfacedefects per mm² within the polished section is less than an averagenumber of surface defects per mm² of the upper surface of the elongatemetal core. The tape measure includes a retraction mechanism coupled tothe reel configured to drive rewinding of the elongate tape measureblade on to the reel.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detaileddescription which follows, and, in part, will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art from the description or recognized bypracticing the embodiments as described in the written description andclaims hereof, as well as the appended drawings. It is to be understoodthat both the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understandingand are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. Thedrawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with thedescription, serve to explain principles and operation of the variousembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left side perspective view of a tape measure, according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view of the tape measure of FIG. 1with a portion of the tape measure housing removed, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a polymer coated tape blade of thetape measure of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional micrograph image of the inner metal layer ofa tape blade showing a tear resistant edge design, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows various tape blade edge shapes that may be used in a tearresistant tape blade, according to various exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows micrograph images of a tape blade edge surface having atear resistant edge design, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional micrograph image of the inner metal layer ofa tape blade showing a conventional edge design.

FIG. 8 shows micrograph images of a tape blade edge surface having atear resistant edge design.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a tapemeasure are shown. Various embodiments of the tape measure discussedherein include an innovative tape blade edge design that Applicantbelieves improves tape blade strength, durability and/or tearresistance. As will be generally understood, one of the common modes oftape blade breakage is tearing during tape retraction. In general, whenthe tape blade retracts, the tape blade can whip back toward the user,cinching the blade repeatedly at a single location.

In general, Applicant hypothesizes that the square/flat edges (see FIG.7) of typical blades have imperfections (see FIG. 8) that facilitatetearing of the blade during retracting. Applicant hypothesizes that thetear initiates at the imperfection(s) during retraction and continues oninto the center portion of the blade. For example, when the blade whipsback and cinches at a point along the tape blade, an imperfection atthat point on the blade causes stress concentration that causesinitiation of blade tear. Accordingly, as discussed in detail below,Applicant has developed a variety of tape blade edge surface designsand/or surface finishes that Applicant believes will decrease tearinitiation during whip, and thereby will improve tape blade strength,durability and/or tear resistance. Applicant believes that due to thetechnical difficulty and cost associated with profiling/finishing thelateral edges of the tape blade material, the edge designs discussedherein are counterintuitive and contrary to conventional understandingin the field of tape measure design.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a length measurement device, such astape measure 10, is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Tapemeasure 10 includes an elongate blade, shown as coilable tape blade 14,and a housing 18. In general, tape blade 14 is an elongate strip ofmaterial including a plurality of graduated measurement markings, and inspecific embodiments, tape blade 14 is an elongate strip of metalmaterial (e.g., steel material) that includes an outermost end coupledto a hook assembly, shown as hook assembly 26. As shown in FIG. 3, tapeblade 14 may include one or more polymer layers (e.g., polymer coatinglayers) to help protect tape blade 14 from cracking during whip orpinch.

As shown in FIG. 1, a variable-length extended segment 22 of the tapeblade 14 is retractable and extendable from the housing 18. A hookassembly 26 is fixedly coupled to an outer end portion 30 of tape blade14. As will be discussed in more detail below, in various embodiments,tape blade 14 includes an edge surface and/or surface finish thatimproves tape blade durability.

As shown in FIG. 2, the non-extended portion of tape blade 14 is woundonto a reel 34, which is surrounded by housing 18. Reel 34 is rotatablydisposed about an axis 38 of tape measure 10, and a retraction mechanism42 is coupled to reel 34 and configured to drive reel 34 about rotationaxis 38 which in turn provides powered retraction of tape blade 14.Retraction mechanism 42 may include one or more elongated spiral springsthat provides the retraction energy to retraction mechanism 42. In otherembodiments, the retraction mechanism includes an electronic motor. Atape lock 46 is provided to selectively engage tape blade 14, which actsto restrain retraction mechanism 42 such that extended segment 22 oftape blade 14 remains at a desired length.

Referring to FIG. 1, housing 18 includes a first side wall 50, a secondside wall 54, and a peripheral wall 58 connecting first side wall 50 andsecond side wall 54. First side wall 50, second side wall 54, andperipheral wall 58 define an internal cavity 62, shown in FIG. 2, inwhich reel 34 and retraction mechanism 42 are housed. Referring to FIG.1, first side wall 50 and second side wall 54 has a substantiallycircular profile 66. In other embodiments, the side walls may berectangular, polygonal, or any other desired shape. Portions of thehousing 18 may be co-molded or separately formed of a resilientmaterial, such as a natural or synthetic rubber. In the illustratedconstruction, housing 18 is formed with housing bumpers 70 and a supportleg 74 which extends from a lower portion 78 of the peripheral wall 58.

A slot 82 is defined along a forward portion 86 of peripheral wall 58.Slot 82 provides an opening in the tape measure housing which allowstape lock 46 to extend into housing 18. In addition, slot 82 provides alength sufficient to allow tape lock 46 to be moved relative to housing18 between locked and unlocked positions.

Below the slot 82, a tape port 90 is provided in peripheral wall 58.Tape port 90 has an arcuate shape 94, corresponding to an arcuatecross-sectional profile of tape blade 14. The tape port 90 defines anopening into the housing that allows for the retraction and extension oftape blade 14 to and from the internal cavity 62 defined within housing18.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, tape measure 10 includes a finger guardassembly 98. Finger guard assembly 98 includes a guard 102 and a guardsupport member 106. As shown in FIG. 1, the portions of guard 102external to housing 18 are substantially U-shaped and extend downwardfrom housing 18. As shown in FIG. 2, when tape blade 14 is in theretracted position, a rear surface of hook assembly 26 abuts guard 102.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of tape blade 14 is shown.Tape blade 14 includes an elongate core or inner layer 110 formed from athin, elongate strip of metal material. In a specific embodiment, innerlayer 110 is formed from a strip of steel material. In a specificembodiment, inner layer 110 has a thickness, T1, of less than 0.13 mm(with up to a 25% thickness variation), specifically 0.9 mm to less than0.13 mm (with up to a 25% thickness variation), and more specifically of0.9 mm to 0.12 mm (with up to a 25% thickness variation). Inner layer110 may be formed in a concavo-convex configuration (as shown in FIG.3). Inner layer 110 may be an alloyed spring steel, alloyed highstrength steel, etc. In one embodiment, the steel is of a hardnessbetween 50-54 RHC. In another embodiment, the steel is of a hardnessbetween 45-60 RHC.

In various embodiments, inner metal layer 110 includes an upper surfacethat includes at least one concave section and a lower surface thatincludes at least one convex section. In specific embodiments, theconcave and convex sections extend the entire length of the tape blade.In various embodiments, tape blade 14 includes an upper coating layer112 coupled to (e.g., attached, bonded, glued, etc.) the concave uppersurface of inner metal layer 110 and a lower coating layer 114 coupledto (e.g., attached, bonded, glued, etc.) the convex lower surface ofinner metal layer 110. In general, coating layers 112 and 114 are formedfrom a polymer material, and in a specific embodiment, are formed from anylon material. In specific embodiments, coating layers 112 and 114 areformed from a material that has a modulus of elasticity less than themodulus of elasticity of the metal material of inner layer 110. Inspecific embodiments, coating layers 112 and 114 are formed from amaterial that has a hardness less than the hardness of the metalmaterial of inner layer 110. In specific embodiments, the coating layersdiscussed herein are formed from a nylon 12 material and/or a nylon 6/6material.

As shown in FIG. 3, coating layer 112 has a thickness, T2, and coatinglayer 114 has a thickness, T3. In specific embodiments, the totalthickness of the tape blade coating (i.e., the combined thickness oflayers 112 and 114, T2+T3) is greater than or less than T1.

In specific embodiments, the total tape blade thickness (inclusive ofall of the coating and the core layer, i.e., T1+T2+T3) is between 0.15mm and 0.5 mm. In various embodiments, T1+T2+T3 is between 0.15 mm and0.2 mm, and specifically is 0.18 mm. In various embodiments, T1+T2+T3 isbetween 0.3 mm and 0.4 mm, and specifically is 0.36 mm.

In one embodiment, coating layers 112 and 114 may be applied over theentire length of inner layer 110. In one embodiment, coating layers 112and 114 are applied over at least 6 feet of the length of inner layer110, specifically over at least 8 feet of the length of inner layer 110,and more specifically over at least 10 feet of the length of inner layer110. In specific embodiments, these coating lengths are contiguouscoating lengths. This may provide increased tear resistance in areas ofthe tape blade 14 prone to increased wear, while maintaining compactnessof the tape relative to a tape blade that has the coating over theentire length. In one embodiment, coating layers 112 and 114 begin atthe end of the tape blade 14 proximate the hook. In another embodiment,the coating starts at a location of the blade spaced apart from the endproximate hook assembly 26.

In some embodiments, coating layers 112 and/or 114 do not have uniformthicknesses along the width and/or length of tape blade 14. In some suchembodiments, coating layers 112 and/or 114 may be applied in a pattern(e.g., a honeycomb pattern, a checkered pattern, etc.) where there areportions of thicker and thinner coating distribution across both thelength and width of the tape blade 14. In such embodiments, T2 and T3shown in FIG. 3 represent the thickness measured through the thickestportion of the coating pattern. In some such embodiments, the ranges ofT2 and T3 discussed herein represent the maximum thickness of coatinglayers 112 and 114 at any portion along the length of tape blade 14. Insome such embodiments, the combined maximum coating and blade thicknessmay be 0.4 mm, but in other areas along the length and width of the tapeblade, the coating and blade thickness will be less (e.g., as measuredat the thinner coating portions of the coating pattern). In otherembodiments, the ranges of T2 and T3 discussed herein represent theaverage thickness of coating layers 112 and 114 measured at all of thethickest portions of the coating pattern along the length and width oftape blade 14.

Coating layers 112 and 114 may be applied as a laminate, nylonextrusion, film attached with adhesive, power/spray on coating. In oneembodiment, the coating layer(s) are configured such that even if thesteel core were to fracture, the coating layer is configured to containthe steel core and to maintain the integrity of the blade (e.g., thecoating will tend not to tear).

In various embodiments, tape blade 14 and the tape blade edge designsdiscussed herein can be utilized to improve tape durability/tearresistance in tapes having a variety of lengths. In specificembodiments, the length of the tape blade is less than 50 feet or morespecifically less than 40 feet. In various embodiments, the length oftape blade 14 is between 15 ft. and 40 ft., and in specific embodiments,the length of the tape blade is 35 ft., 30 ft., 25 ft., or 16 ft.

As shown in FIG. 3, inner core 110 includes a pair of opposing lateraledge surfaces 120. In the longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. 3,lateral edge surfaces 120 extend between the upper concave surface andthe lower convex surface of inner core 110 and are contiguous with bothsurfaces. In addition, lateral edge surfaces 120 extend the entirelongitudinal length of tape blade 14. While FIG. 3 shows coating layers112 and 114 covering the upper and lower surfaces of tape blade 14 only,in other embodiments, a polymer coating layer surrounds/covers lateraledge surfaces 120. As will be discussed in more detail below, lateraledge surfaces 120 are configured (e.g., shaped, polished, finished,etc.) to reduce tear initiation and improve durability.

Referring to FIG. 4, a detailed view of a lateral edge surface 120 ofinner core 110 incorporating a tear resistant design is shown accordingto an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that while FIG. 4shows a single lateral edge surface 120, both the left and right lateraledge surfaces 120 may incorporate the various durability improvingdesigns discussed herein. As shown in FIG. 4, lateral edge surface 120is shaped to improve tear resistance. In particular, in contrast totypical squared tape blade edge designs, Applicant believes a curvedlateral edge surface 120, such as that shown in FIG. 4 may improve tearresistance.

In various embodiments, lateral edge surfaces 120 include shaped,non-planar surface sections. In specific embodiments, the lateral edgesurfaces 120 each include convex curved sections. As shown in thespecific embodiment of FIG. 4, lateral edge surface 120 is a convexcurved surface that extends between the opposing upper and lowersurfaces of inner core 110. In particular, lateral edge surface 120 is acontinuous, convex curved surface extending the entire distance betweenthe opposing upper and lower surfaces of inner core 110. In suchembodiments, the curve of surfaces 120 is continuous (e.g.,non-interrupted) defining a convex curve that extends the entiredistances between upper and lower surfaces of inner core 110. As will beunderstood, inner core 110 is formed from a contiguous, integral pieceof metal which defines the upper and lower surfaces and the lateral edgesurfaces 120. In some embodiments, the convex curved surface of surface120 extends the entire length of inner core 110, and in otherembodiments, the convex curved surface of surface 120 is a sectionextending less than the entire length of inner core 110. In some suchembodiments, the convex curved section of surface 120 is located only inthe first 10 feet of length from the hook end of inner core 110.

In particular embodiments, curved lateral edge surface 120 defines anarc having an angle A1. In various embodiments, angle A1 is 180 degreesor less, in specific embodiments, angle A1 is 45 degrees to 180 degreesand in even more specific embodiments A1 is 60 degrees to 120 degrees.In various embodiments, curved lateral edge surface 120 is defined by aradius of curvature R1.

Referring to FIG. 5, Applicant believes that other shapes of lateraledge surface 120 may also improve durability of tape blade 14. Invarious embodiments, lateral edge surface 120 may have any of thestandard American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) edge shape profilesshown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, instead of or in addition to the edge surfaceshapes discussed above regarding FIGS. 4 and 5, lateral edge surface 120may also have a design that incorporates a surface finish that improvesdurability. In particular embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, lateral edgesurface 120 may be finished, polished, etc. in a manner that reducesimperfections, defects, surface roughness, etc. that Applicant believesmay decrease durability of the tape blade. By comparing FIG. 6 to FIG.8, the improved surface quality present in lateral edge surface 120 isapparent.

In various embodiments, lateral edge surface 120 includes one or moresurface characteristics that Applicant believes correlates with improveddurability/tear resistance. In various embodiments, lateral edgesurfaces 120 have a high surface quality. As noted above, Applicantbelieves that by reducing the surface defects present in lateral edgesurfaces 120, the durability is improved by reducing the likelihood oftear initiation during whip.

In various embodiments, the durability improving design of lateral edgesurface 120 (whether the durability improving shapes of FIGS. 4 and 5 orthe surface characteristic(s) of FIG. 6) extend the entire longitudinallength of tape blade 14. In other embodiments, the durability improvingdesign of lateral edge surface 120 (whether the durability improvingshapes of FIGS. 4 and 5 or the surface characteristic(s) of FIG. 6)extend a portion of the longitudinal length of tape blade 14 in regionsmore susceptible to tearing. In specific embodiments, the durabilityimproving design of lateral edge surface 120 (whether the durabilityimproving shapes of FIGS. 4 and 5 or the surface characteristic(s) ofFIG. 6) extend for the first 10 feet from hook assembly 26, specificallyfor the first six feet from hook assembly 26.

In various embodiments, the edge shapes and/or surface finishesdiscussed herein may be formed via a variety of methods. In variousembodiments, the edge shapes and/or surface finishes discussed hereinare formed using one or more of grinding, polishing, compressing,molding, melting, or other suitable means. In a specific embodiment,lateral edge surface 120 are produced via a skiving edge formingprocess.

In specific embodiments, at least a section of one or both of lateraledge surfaces 120 is polished such that the number of surface defects onthe lateral edge surfaces of the metal core is less than the number ofsurface defects on the unpolished upper and/or lower surfaces of themetal core 110. In specific embodiments, the polishing of lateral edgesurfaces 120 reduces the number of surface defects such that an averagenumber of surface defects per unit of area (e.g., per mm² or per cm²) oflateral edge surface(s) 120 is less than an average number of surfacedefects per the unit of area of the upper surface of the metal core 110.

It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the presentapplication is not limited to the details or methodology set forth inthe description or illustrated in the figures. It should also beunderstood that the terminology is for description purposes only andshould not be regarded as limiting.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects ofthe invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view ofthis description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in thevarious exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Some elementsshown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts orelements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied,and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may bealtered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logicalalgorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according toalternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes andomissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions andarrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps beperformed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim doesnot actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is nototherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that thesteps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intendedthat any particular order be inferred. In addition, as used herein, thearticle “a” is intended to include one or more component or element, andis not intended to be construed as meaning only one.

Various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any ofthe features, and any such combination of features may be claimed inthis or future applications. Any of the features, elements or componentsof any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be utilizedalone or in combination with any of the features, elements or componentsof any of the other embodiments discussed above.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tape measure comprising: a housing: a reelrotatably mounted within the housing; an elongate blade wound around thereel, the elongate blade comprising: an elongate metal core having anupper surface, a lower surface, a first lateral edge surface extendingbetween the upper and lower surfaces of the elongate metal core and asecond lateral edge surface opposite the first lateral edge surface andextending between the upper and lower surfaces of the elongate metalcore; a polymer coating coupled to the elongate metal core; wherein theupper surface of the elongate metal core includes a concave curvedsection; wherein the lower surface of the elongate metal core includes aconvex curved section; wherein the first lateral edge surface includes aconvex curved section; wherein the second lateral edge surface includesa convex curved section; a retraction mechanism coupled to the reelconfigured to drive rewinding of the elongate blade on to the reel; anda hook assembly coupled to an outer end of the elongate blade.
 2. Thetape measure of claim 1, wherein the convex curved section of the firstlateral edge surface is a continuous curved section extending from theupper surface to the lower surface of the elongate metal core, whereinthe convex curved section of the second lateral edge surface is acontinuous curved section extending from the upper surface to the lowersurface of the elongate metal core.
 3. The tape measure of claim 2,wherein the convex curved section of the first lateral edge surfaceextends lengthwise an entire length of the elongate metal core, whereinthe convex curved section of the second lateral edge surface extendslengthwise the entire length of the elongate metal core.
 4. The tapemeasure of claim 1, wherein the convex curved section of the firstlateral edge surface defines an arc having an angle less than 180degrees, wherein the convex curved section of the second lateral edgesurface defines an arc having an angle less than 180 degrees.
 5. Thetape measure of claim 1, wherein the polymer coating is located bothabove the upper surface of the elongate metal core and below the lowersurface of the elongate metal core.
 6. The tape measure of claim 5,wherein the polymer coating does not cover the first lateral edgesurface or the second lateral edge surface.
 7. The tape measure of claim1, wherein a section of the first lateral edge surface is polished suchthat an average number of surface defects per unit of area of the firstlateral edge surface is less than an average number of surface defectsper the unit of area of the upper surface of the elongate metal core. 8.The tape measure of claim 7, wherein the polished section of the firstlateral edge surface is located only within the first 10 feet of lengthof the elongate metal core adjacent to the hook assembly.
 9. The tapemeasure of claim 1, wherein the retraction mechanism comprises a springcoupled to the reel such that when the elongate blade is unwound fromthe reel to extend from the housing the spring stores energy and thespring releases energy driving rewinding of the elongate blade on to thereel.
 10. The tape measure of claim 9, wherein the elongate metal corehas a thickness, T1, measured between the upper surface and the lowersurface, wherein T1 is between 0.09 mm and 0.2 mm.
 11. A tape measurecomprising: a housing: a reel rotatably mounted within the housing; anelongate tape measure blade wound around the reel, the elongate tapemeasure blade comprising: an upper surface; a lower surface; a firstmetal lateral edge surface extending between the upper and lowersurfaces of the elongate tape measure blade; and a second metal lateraledge surface opposite the first metal lateral edge surface and extendingbetween the upper and lower surfaces of the elongate tape measure blade;wherein the first metal lateral edge surface includes a shaped,non-planar surface section; wherein the second metal lateral edgesurface includes a shaped, non-planar surface section; and a retractionmechanism coupled to the reel configured to drive rewinding of theelongate tape measure blade on to the reel.
 12. The tape measure ofclaim 11, wherein the upper surface of the elongate tape measure bladeincludes a concave curved section and the lower surface of the elongatetape measure blade includes a convex curved section, wherein the shaped,non-planar surface section of the first metal lateral edge is acontinuous convex curved section extending from the upper surface to thelower surface of the elongate tape measure blade, wherein the shaped,non-planar surface section of the second metal lateral edge is acontinuous convex curved section extending from the upper surface to thelower surface of the elongate tape measure blade.
 13. The tape measureof claim 12, wherein the continuous convex curved section of the firstmetal lateral edge surface defines an arc having an angle of 60 to 120degrees, wherein the continuous convex curved section of the secondmetal lateral edge surface defines an arc having an angle of 60 to 120degrees.
 14. The tape measure of claim 13, wherein the elongate tapemeasure blade comprises an elongate metal core, and a polymer layercoupled to the elongate metal core.
 15. A tape measure comprising: ahousing: a reel rotatably mounted within the housing; an elongate tapemeasure blade wound around the reel comprising an elongate metal core,the elongate metal core comprising: an upper surface; a lower surface; afirst lateral edge surface extending between the upper and lowersurfaces of the elongate metal core; and a second lateral edge surfaceopposite the first lateral edge surface and extending between the upperand lower surfaces of the elongate metal core; wherein the first lateraledge surface includes a polished section such that an average number ofsurface defects per mm² within the polished section is less than anaverage number of surface defects per mm² of the upper surface of theelongate metal core; wherein the second lateral edge surface includes apolished section such that an average number of surface defects per mm²within the polished section is less than an average number of surfacedefects per mm² of the upper surface of the elongate metal core; and aretraction mechanism coupled to the reel configured to drive rewindingof the elongate tape measure blade on to the reel.
 16. The tape measureof claim 15, further comprising a hook assembly coupled to an outer endof the elongate tape measure blade, wherein the polished sections of thefirst lateral edge surface and of the second lateral edge surface arelocated only within the first 10 feet of length of the elongate tapemeasure blade adjacent to the hook assembly.
 17. The tape measure ofclaim 15, wherein the upper surface of the elongate metal core includesa concave curved section, wherein the lower surface of the elongatemetal core includes a convex curved section, wherein the first lateraledge surface includes a convex curved section, wherein the secondlateral edge surface includes a convex curved section.
 18. The tapemeasure of claim 17, wherein the convex curved section of the firstlateral edge is a continuous curved section extending from the uppersurface to the lower surface of the elongate metal core, wherein theconvex curved section of the second lateral edge is a continuous curvedsection extending from the upper surface to the lower surface of theelongate metal core.
 19. The tape measure of claim 15, furthercomprising a polymer layer coupled to the elongate metal core, and ahook assembly coupled to an outer end of the elongate tape measureblade.
 20. The tape measure of claim 15, wherein the retractionmechanism comprises a spring coupled to the reel such that when theelongate blade is unwound from the reel to extend from the housing thespring stores energy and the spring releases energy driving rewinding ofthe elongate tape measure blade on to the reel.